Dying

I've started to dye some of my yarn and I'm going to have a go at dying the yarn for the Hogwart's Sock Swap. The yarn in the photo is 50% Alpaca and 50% BFL - wish I could remember where I got it. I dyed it with a pile of copper coins (approx £5 worth) with about a cup of ammonia and just covered with water. It just sat for three days and I gently stirred it every now and again. After rinsing in a cup of vinegar and washing in shampoo it feels soft and smells fresh. I was rather concerned that the yarn would rot away, the ammonia smelt mighty powerful. Also I'm sure I've heard that perming lotion contains loads of ammonia to soften the hair but this yarn hasn't suffered any ill effects. I'm very pleased with the colour and mottled effect. Not sure what I can use it for yet as there is only 50 grams, I think about 100 metres of DK.

I also dyed some similar yarn with a Dylon dye though I am not too pleased with the results. I find it more fun and interesting to experiment with natural dyes. I've just discovered that the Borage stuff that grows all over my garden is Alkanet and an excellent bluey purple dye. Tomorrow I shall dig it up and dry the roots.